Abuse In Childhood

Any victim of sexual abuse faces the chance of having their development impacted. This is especially true amongst children. Studies have proven that children who have been sexually abused by a female offender often have different developmental experiences (T.A. Gannon, 2008, p. 356). Mental illness is yet another impact that victims face. Many sexual abuse victims transpire into states of depression, rage, and suicide; they even have strained relationships with certain individuals (Denov, 2014, p.

This paper reviews several articles that discuss the lasting effects that sexual abuse can have on a child into their adult years. The articles agree that victims of child sexual abuse (CSA) will most likely suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or experience revictimization. This paper will also address the common forms of coping that victims of child sexual abuse take part in. Some research will touch on proper healing techniques for victims of CSA to receive.

Child sexual abuse is an ever-present, psychologically and physically damaging event that occurs daily to hundreds of children. Unfortunately, child sexual abuse is not going away any time soon and the lives of so many precious children are altered forever. These abused children often grow up to be psychologically damaged adults with emotional, cognitive and physical issues that may never be able to be conquered. Far too many adults live with the pain of their secret and it can be quite debilitating. Adults who were abused as children may have many problems in their

In the past ten years researchers have increase their knowledge on the understanding of the different effects that maltreatment has on early brain development. A foundation has been set for the neurobiological explanations of children who have experienced sexual abuse in their early years of life. The explanations include areas of physical, cognitive, social, and emotional struggles. There are many different internal and external factors that associate with the way the child develops into adulthood. Variables that can be taken into account are individual factors and environmental factors. For example individual factors consist of children’s temperaments and vulnerability. In regards to environmental factors this contains how caregivers portray abuse along with overall family atmosphere. Some other specific variables associated with abuse are duration, amount of violence, and relationship between victim and abuser. In addition, age has a strong impact on the victim in regards to adult sexual behavior. When a child is abused at a young age he or she is more likely to engage in sexualized external behavior. At the age of six or younger, children have a higher chance to show their abuse through inappropriate and aggressive sexualized behavior. As for older children of twelve and up they lean more towards fear of sex. These children shoe more internal behavior problems as well (Aaron, 2012).

Many children that are sexually assaulted have many deficit after the assault. Corwin & Keeshin (2011) states in sexual abuse, genital injuries may result in acute pain and increase the risk of long-lasting effects such as sexual dysfunction, urinary problems, sexually transmitted infections such as human immunodeficiency virus and reproductive problems. (p.2). Sexual abuse is not only physical but it is psychological as well as is it emotional. Especially with being sexually abuse, the child would be in so much pain, and at the same time try to figure out what just happening to them. Not just that there is a chance that they might get diseases like sexually transmitted diseases, but they may experience dysfunction in their body like urinary problem because their bodies has not fully developed. The other side effect according to Corwin & Keeshin (2011) some child victims of sexual abuse display few initial effects, the majority show some signs of posttraumatic stress, and more than one-third meet diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Another effect that this may have according to Corwin & Keeshin (2011) is

As stated by John Briere and Diana Elliott, those who have been sexually assaulted as a child have “a four-time greater lifetime risk for major depression than do individuals with no such abuse history” (57). Kristen Springer, et al. found that, “46% of those with a history of childhood sexual abuse, compared with 28% of those with no abuse, had experienced a major depressive episode” (866). Depression “has been found to be the most common long-term symptom among survivors. Mayo Staff Clinic describes depression as, “a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest.” Melissa and Joshua Hall state that depression from childhood sexual assault results in, “survivors having difficulty in externalizing the abuse, thus thinking negatively about themselves” (2). It is said that symptoms of those abused may include,” feeling down much of the time, having suicidal ideation, having disturbed sleeping patterns, and having disturbed eating patterns” (Hall, 2). Although the assault may have occurred as much as 15 years ago or so, the misery from the event can continue to overpower one's happiness. Survivors tend to avoid others and feel almost useless, as if they have nothing to offer. Recurring misery and negative thoughts can take over the lives of adults and result in different levels of depression. Although not all of the

Child sexual abuse (CSA) remains a severe and widespread societal problem in the United States. 62,939 cases of child sexual abuse were reported in 2012 (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2013). Though difficult to obtain concrete figures, it is estimated that approximately 1 in 6 boys and 1 in 4 girls are sexually abused before the age of 18 (American Psychological Association, 2011). CSA shows no prejudice with regard to social class, ethnicity, or other demographic variables. As discussed later, not only does CSA negatively impact the child presently and later in life-psychologically and behaviorally, but it also creates a burden on communities and mental and physical health care services.

According to the American Psychological Association, trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape or natural disaster. Physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and partner violence are all unfortunate traumatic encounters that many young children are exposed to every day (http://www.apa.org, 2015). According to research, every year approximately 1 million infants, children, and adolescents are officially substantiated as victims of child abuse and neglect in the United States (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Children, Youth and Families, 2005). These children who are victims of such circumstances often face life-long problems including depression, suicide, alcoholism and drug abuse. Major medical problems such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are additional issues that may arise. First, there are the different ways these types of experiences stay on a children’s minds. They continue to have

It is always so saddening to hear about sexual abuse especially when it involves a child, but many times there are more damaging psychological and emotional effects when a child is sexually abused. These effects can be short or long term and might not appear until later in life when the child has grown and understands what has happened. Events like these can alter a child’s perspective on life because sexuality is a big part of healthy development, but when it is important that sexuality occurs at the correct time of development and not in the form of sexual abuse.

In conclusion, trauma does not limited itself to a society class, ethnicity group nor is it limited to a particular act; instead, trauma is an experience that extends itself in the moments when the human body’s natural response to discomfort and or fear fails to save and protect. Experiencing sexual abuse during childhood development is defined as a crisis. During that stage of human development, a child is not equipped with the proper tools to combat the physical, emotional, or spiritual ramifications of the act, and their natural ability for fight or flight does not impede the reoccurrence of the event. The child then develops into an adult with maladaptive coping skills to respond to external pain and disappointments. In some, an anxiety

McPherson, Scribano, and Stevens (2012) defined child sexual abuse as, “engaging a child in sexual activities that the child cannot comprehend, for which the child is developmentally unprepared and cannot give informed consent” (p. 27). The number of affected women in the United States is about 26% and the number of affected men is 16% (Perez-Fuentas, Olfson, Villegas, Morcillo, Wang, & Blanco, 2013). However, as all crimes go, not every single case has been reported. Whether reported or not, child sexual abuse is a very serious crime that can affect the victims tremendously. Retrieving counseling for these victims of child sexual abuse is substantial in helping the child live a fruitful live post-abuse. Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy as

Child sexual abuse is a big social problem. We know about sexual abuse, but do we know the different effects sexual abuse causes? Volunteering at Change Agents Network and being around the troubled youth can teach someone a lot. Sexual abuse can drastically change someone’s life. Just imagine how it can effect a child’s mind mentally and then think about how not addressing the issues at hand can affect them in adulthood. Through much research and practice it was stated that childhood sexual abuse makes people vulnerable to both mental and physical ill health (NELSON, S., BALDWIN, N. and TAYLOR, J., 2012). Being a victim of sexual assault can cause mental issue and as social workers, it is important to identify the different mental health issues

As I mentioned on above child sexual abuse is heartbreaking action, disappointing, and terrible situation, painful and unacceptable action in any measure. In addition, I think that whoever commits child sexual abuse he is also committing stealing their future, killing their life, destroying their future. In addition, a study indicates that child sexual abuse significant “short and long-term effects including post-traumatic stress disorders and symptoms, depression, suicide, sexualized behaviors, and neurobiological effects” (Lewis, McElroy, Harlaar, Runyan, 2016). In addition, adults associated with a history of child sexual abuse include poor physical health, higher prevalence of DSM disorders, and psychosomatic physical complaints and conditions (Lewis, McElroy, Harlaar, Runyan, 2016). Therefore, in this journal I will discuss what I have learned from a class presentation about child sexual abuse, how these experiences help me to engage children’s who have a victim of child abuse and the skill I want to develop to assist children who experience sexual abuse.

The purpose of Rind et. al. (1998) is to conclude whether or not a child sexual abuse experience cause intense psychological harm. In order to do this, they conducted a study using college students. They correlated alcohol problems, anxiety, depression, dissociation, hostility, eating disorders, interpersonal sensitivity, locus of control,

Child sexual abuse has been reported up to 80,000 times a year, but the number of unreported instances is far greater, because the children are afraid to tell anyone what has happened (American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry). Childhood sexual abuse is a traumatic experience affecting the lives of not only the victim, but those close to the victim as well. Many think there is only one person truly traumatized, but in fact, everyone involved is affected. The victim has to deal with their experience the rest of their lives. They may be more at risk for other mental issues as well, including depression. The family involved has to deal with its pain, often causing hardship and discord within the family. This is especially true